This industry makes money entirely off our brains and creativity and ability to deliver under intense pressure and circumstances, so agencies need to take some responsibility for the mental welfare of the people who do the work. It’s a recognized problem that is exacerbated by the cutthroat nature of what we do.
Advertising and creative industries offer a magnified look at the larger mental health crisis that is affecting society. Studies have found mild to severe symptoms of depression in 56% of people in marketing or creative fields, and anxiety rates 29% higher than the general population.